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Protecting customers with insurance since 2001

Types of pet insurance – levels of cover explained

  • 22, May 2023
  • Read time: 6 mins

All pets are different, which is why we offer a variety of pet insurance cover options for your furry companions.

From Basic to Lifetime cover, learn the key differences to help you pick the best cover for your dog or cat.

Friendly cat and dog.

What is pet insurance?

To put it simply, having pet insurance helps you with vet costs if your dog or cat gets ill or is injured.

Depending on your plan, you can also choose extra cover options, like receiving damage compensation or money towards the cost of finding your dog or cat if they go missing.

What does pet insurance cover?

This will depend on what type of cover you choose, though generally having pet insurance will give you some peace of mind with:

  • Vet fees for accidents or illness
  • If your pet damages your or someone else's property, or causes injury


You can also choose a type of insurance that will provide cover for

  • Emergency boarding
  • If your cat or dog goes missing
  • When your pet is abroad
  • Complementary treatment
  • Farewell cover

What usually isn't covered by pet insurance

  • Accidents that occur before or within the first 48 hours of the policy start date
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions
  • Any changes you or your vet notice in the health of your pet before the policy started
  • Any illnesses your pet has in the first 14 days of your cover start date

Types of pet insurance we offer

We have three levels of dog and cat insurance to choose from, so you can find the best cover to suit you, your lifestyle and your pet.

Basic pet insurance

This cover type is also known as Time Limited cover. Basic pet insurance covers your pet’s accidents and illnesses for 12 months from the start of the treatment they need or until the vet fees limit you’ve chosen is reached, providing the policy is renewed with no break in cover.

Our Basic cover includes:

  • Vet fees: you can claim up to £1,500 or £3,000, depending on your chosen vet fees limit
  • Accidental damage: you can claim up to £500 if your or someone else's property is damaged by your pet
  • Third party liability: you can claim up to £1 million cover if your dog causes injury to someone. Exclusions apply
  • Emergency boarding: if you're in the hospital for more than 4 days in a row, you can claim up to £1,000 to cover any pet boarding costs
  • Dental – if damaged by an accident

Lost and Found, Pets Abroad and Farewell cover aren't included as standard, but can be added to your policy.

Classic pet insurance

This cover type is also known as Maximum Benefit pet insurance. Classic pet insurance covers your pet’s accidents and illnesses until the vet fees limit you’ve chosen is reached, providing the policy is renewed with no break in cover.

Our Classic cover includes:

  • Vet fees: up to £4,000 or £8,000
  • Accidental damage: up to £1,000
  • Third party liability: up to £2 million cover. Find out what exclusions may apply
  • Lost and found: if your dog or cat goes missing, you can claim towards the cost of advertising or offering a reward for their safe return up to a £1,000 limit
  • Emergency boarding: if you're in hospital for more than 4 days in a row, you can claim up to £1,000 to cover any pet boarding costs
  • Dental – if damaged by an accident
  • Pets abroad: this ensures your pet is covered for healthcare and emergency expenses in a number of European countries up to the vet fee limit on your policy
  • Farewell cover can be added to your policy up to a £150 limit

Premier pet insurance

This cover type is also known as Lifetime cover. Premier pet insurance covers your pet’s accidents as well as one-off, re-occurring and ongoing illnesses. Each accident and illness is covered up to the vet fee limit each year, depending on the amount you choose (up to £6,000), providing the policy is renewed with no break in cover.

Our Premier pet insurance includes:

  • Vet fees: choose from up to £1,000, £2,000, £4,000 or £6,000 for each accident or illness in each period of insurance. There is no limit to the number of accidents or illnesses you can claim for
  • Accidental damage: up to £2,000
  • Third party liability: up to £3,000,000 cover. Find out what exclusions may apply
  • Lost and found: up to a £2,000 limit by theft or straying
  • Emergency boarding
  • Pets abroad
  • Dental care: up to £2,000 for accidents and illnesses. Your pet must have a dental check every 12 months.
  • Treatment food: up to £500
  • Farewell cover: up to a £200 limit. This includes the costs if your pet is put to sleep by a vet and also fees for cremation or burial

Lost and found pet cover

If you’re worried about where your dog or cat has ventured off to, we can help. You’ll be able to claim for the costs of advertising that they’re missing or if you offer a reward for their safe return home, up to a £1,000 limit.

This cover is included with Classic and Premier pet insurance or can be added to a Basic pet insurance policy for an additional fee. Additionally, with Premier pet insurance, you'll be able to claim their purchase or donation price up to £2,000 for loss by theft or straying.

Pets abroad cover

If your pet is just as adventurous an explorer as you, this cover will give you the peace of mind that their potential healthcare or emergency expenses are covered in a number of European countries up to the vet fee limit on your policy.

This cover is included with Classic and Premier pet insurance or can be added to a Basic pet insurance policy for an additional fee.

Do I need to insure my pet in the UK?

Although having pet insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK, pet insurance can help with unexpected costs, giving you added peace of mind if anything should happen to your pet.

Learn more about our pet insurance

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